In a notable departure from her Republican opponents, Vice President Kamala Harris took a unique approach to addressing climate change in her speech at the Democratic National Convention. While she only mentioned climate change once, she framed the environmental crisis as a matter of patriotism and sought to reclaim the messaging around freedom.

Harris, after countering former President Donald J. Trump on abortion, argued that "many other fundamental freedoms are at stake" in the upcoming November election. Among these, she emphasized "the freedom to breathe clean air, and drink clean water and live free from the pollution that fuels the climate crisis."

This shift in rhetoric marked a strategic move for the Harris campaign, which has yet to offer specific policy details on climate change. By tapping into the broader theme of freedom, the campaign aimed to appeal to a wider audience.

Throughout the night, this message was echoed by others, including Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida, who declared that "fighting the climate crisis is patriotic." The aim was to counter the view that Republicans have traditionally owned the narrative around freedom and reclaim it as a Democratic issue.

Unlike President Joe Biden, who frequently addressed climate change during his 2020 campaign, Harris has not placed as much emphasis on the issue. However, this is not deterring climate-focused voters, as a new poll by the Environmental Voter Project shows that Harris has already garnered support from voters prioritizing climate change as an election issue.

While climate groups haven't been pushing Harris to be more outspoken on the matter, it appears that she has already struck a chord with voters concerned about the environment. Tiernan Sittenfeld, the senior vice president of government affairs for the League of Conservation Voters, expressed confidence in the potential actions of a Harris administration, stating that they would tirelessly work towards ensuring clean air, water, and a healthy climate for all Americans.

However, Harris's approach to climate change does carry some risks, particularly in rust belt states with union and moderate voters. Activating and energizing youth and climate activists can make a difference in swing states, but it is crucial to strike a balance that also appeals to a broader base of voters.

The Trump campaign, which has consistently dismissed climate change as a hoax, has criticized Harris's positions on the issue. President Trump took to Truth Social to assert that Harris failed to address crucial subjects such as China, fracking, and energy during her speech.

Nevertheless, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland praised Harris's record on holding polluters accountable during her tenure as attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017. Haaland also highlighted Harris's tie-breaking vote for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which she referred to as "the most ambitious climate action plan in our nation's history."

As the presidential election draws closer, Harris's framing of climate change as a patriotic fight and her commitment to environmental issues could be factors that sway voters concerned about the future of the planet and America's role in addressing climate change. While specific policies are yet to be unveiled, Harris aims to bring together both climate activists and moderate voters in her bid for the White House.